Israel's Environmental Ministry Withheld Pollutant Permits, Citing Security Concerns
Translated & summarized from Shakuf by baba
Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection removed nearly 200 pollutant permits from its website during the recent conflict with Iran, citing security concerns. The transparency organization "Shakuf" reported that the removal was unauthorized and prompted by the Manufacturers Association of Israel. The ministry has delayed responding to freedom of information requests regarding the incident. The permits were eventually restored after security officials reviewed and redacted sensitive information.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry removed nearly 200 pollutant permits from its website during the Iran conflict.
- The removal was reportedly prompted by the Manufacturers Association of Israel, citing security concerns.
- Transparency organization "Shakuf" stated the removal was unauthorized and the ministry has delayed information requests.
- The permits were temporarily taken down without proper legal authorization, according to "Shakuf".
- The data was eventually restored after security officials reviewed and redacted sensitive information.
Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection removed nearly 200 pollutant permits from its website during the recent conflict with Iran, citing security concerns. These permits, which detail emissions from polluting industries and have been publicly available for nearly two decades, were taken down without proper legal authorization, according to the transparency organization "Shakuf" (Transparent). The decision to remove the information was reportedly prompted by a request from the Manufacturers Association of Israel, an industry group with a vested interest in the data.
Despite the ministry's claim of security concerns, the removal was handled carelessly, leaving the documents accessible through web searches. The ministry, led by Minister Idit Silman and Director General Rami Rosen, has been unresponsive to "Shakuf's" freedom of information requests for four months, now also in violation of the law. The permits are crucial for environmental activists and concerned citizens to monitor industrial emissions, as they regulate the relationship between the state, the public, and the environment.
Further complicating the matter, the directive to remove the information was issued while the incoming head of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Brig. Gen. Yitzhak Bar, lacked the proper legal certification under the Clean Air Law. Discussions preceding the removal between the ministry, NEMA, and the Manufacturers Association were reportedly conducted informally via phone, without minutes or written summaries.
"Shakuf" filed a freedom of information request on June 1st seeking all communications regarding the removal of data. The ministry requested multiple extensions, first 30 days, then an additional 60 days, failing to provide the information by the extended deadlines. A spokesperson cited a 20% increase in freedom of information requests as the reason for the delay.
The ministry eventually stated that the pollutant permit data was temporarily removed for review following a request from security and emergency bodies concerned about the publication of sensitive information. After a review and redaction of hazardous material quantities and locations deemed a security risk by senior security officials, the database was restored to the website. However, the process and the initial removal have drawn criticism for lack of transparency and potential legal irregularities.